IMBA in association with the Southwest Assoc of Mountain Pedalers (SWAMP Club) are hosting an EPIC weekend in my area the weekend of March 14th, 15th & 16th.

The weekend consists of a full weekend of activities including a campfire social Friday night, a trail work session Saturday morning, an afternoon ride, then an EPIC ride on Sunday.

Registration is free to IMBA members, and SWAMP is asking for $20 for breakfast Sat & Sun and dinner Sat. Night. If you've never been to a SWAMP Organized event, the FOOD is TOP NOTCH! Of course, you can bring your own, but I'm sure you'll spend more than $20 and it won't be as good!

Here is some information:

Hello Alafia River IMBA Epic registrants!

Here is the final email with information regarding next weekend's IMBA Epic Celebration at the Alafia River State Park in Brandon, Florida. We have approximately 45 people registered and can accommodate 100, so if you have any riding buddies that would like to join us, please feel free to bring them along!

Your IMBA staff hosts for the weekend are Scott Linnenberger and Aaryn Kay Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew and Brandon Dwight, IMBA Sprockids Coordinator. Wes Eubank of the Southwest Association of Mountain Pedalers (SWAMP) has done a great job putting together the details for the IMBA Epic Celebrations. Thanks to Wes and all the SWAMP volunteers!

Below are some details for the weekend:

LOCATION:
The Alafia River IMBA Epic Celebration will take place at the Alafia River State Park. This is where we will camp for the weekend and meet for both the trail work day and Epic ride.

DIRECTIONS:
Nearest city/town is Brandon, a suburb southeast of Tampa.

Specific directions to trailhead:

Traveling south from Tampa on I-75:
-exit 47, Apollo Beach, travel east on Big Bend Road approximately one mile to 301. -turn south (right) on 301 and travel approximately one mile. -turn east (left) on CR-672 and travel approximately 11 miles to the first stop sign.
-turn north (left) on SR-39 and travel 1.5 miles to the park entrance. -turn east (right) into park.

Traveling from Orlando on I-4:
-exit at Plant City, travel approximately 20 miles on SR-39 south to the park entrance. -turn east (left) into park.

Traveling north from Sarasota on I-75:
-exit 48, Sun City Center, travel east approximately 13 miles on CR-674 to SR-39. -turn north (left) on SR-39 and travel 1.5 miles north to the park entrance. -turn east (right) into park.

Park entrance is marked with a sign and stone fence. The entire campground is reserved for IMBA Epic participants.

WEATHER:
Shorts and short sleeves! Although March is not typically a wet month, the El Nino weather patterns could bring in a shower, so pack a light rain jacket. Sunscreen and bug repellant is highly recommended.

ARRIVAL:
The celebration will begin on Friday evening with a group campfire and introductions at 8pm. Participants are encouraged to arrive between 4 and 7pm on March 14th to check-in with IMBA staff and settle into their campsite. If you arrive after bedtime, just find a place to sleep and we'll meet in the morning. If you can't get there until Saturday, please be ready for trail work at 9am.

CAMPING:
We have reserved the entire Alafia River State Park campground for IMBA Epic participants. The campsites are undergoing some constructions, but hopefully there will be two large picnic pavilions, electricity, and hot showers. Cross your fingers!

FOOD:
We will have group breakfasts available on Saturday and Sunday morning and dinner on Saturday evening. The SWAMP club is hosting all our meals and will have breakfast of bagels, hot oatmeal, fresh fruit and hot coffee. Dinner will include BBQ chicken, black beans and rice and other local fare. Expect a delicious dessert of fresh local strawberries. The total cost for all three meals is $20 - please bring cash.

Plan to bring everything youšll need for the entire weekend. We hope everyone will camp with us-park your vehicle and leave it for the weekend, but the local Holiday Inn is a short drive away. Either way, bring plenty of whatever food and drinks you like to stay happy.

WHAT TO BRING:
Load up your vehicle with everything you need to be comfortable camping, doing trail work, and riding all day.

Trail work gear should include: back pack/hydration pack, work gloves, hat, long sleeve shirt, long pants, sturdy shoes, sun screen, water, snacks and food for lunch. If you have a favorite trail work tool, feel free to tote it along. Experience has proven that running shoes, shorts and other lightweight clothing are not the best for trail work. Sturdy soled shoes, pants and work clothes are best.

TRAIL WORK DETAILS:
Proposed projects include several sections of new trail construction. The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew will finalize the trail work details on Friday, March 14 and lead IMBA Epic participants on the trail work projects.

RIDE DETAILS:
We will break into groups depending on how long and how fast you like to ride. The trail system is comprised of multiple loops and you are never more than a few miles from the base camp. There are many bailout options available.

There are 15 miles of singletrack at Alafia River State Park and can connect to another 15 miles of trails in Boyette State Park. There are plenty of options to suit all levels of riding.

Terrain: Alafia River State Park offers some of the most technical riding in the state of Florida. The trails utilize an abandoned phosphate quarry-the climbs and descents are fairly short, but very steep. There are also many miles of intermediate level singletrack.

__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger